Richard Welton, MD, MHA
Senior Director
Samueli Institute
Military Medical Research
Richard Welton, MD, MHA, is a retired Navy Physician (Internal Medicine and Rheumatology) with more than 30 years of military service in the U.S. Army and Navy (Reserve and Active Duty). Dr. Welton joined the Samueli Institute as Senior Director, Military Medical Programs in 2011. He is experienced as a medical doctor and senior health care administrator in both civilian and military health care systems. He has been actively involved in planning, directing, coordinating, supervising, managing, and improving the delivery of diverse and complex health care services programs for specific clinical departments, product lines, entire facilities and systems worldwide.
His recent prior assignments include: Primary Care Physician, Wounded Warrior Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC (December 2009-July 2011); Senior Physician Advisor, Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (June 2009-October 2009); Retired from U.S. Naval Service as of May 2009; II MEF Surgeon, Camp Lejeune, NC (June 2006 – April 2009) during which time he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for 13 months; Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, NC (May 2003 –June 2006); Executive Assistant to the Navy Surgeon General (OPNAV 093A and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery; August 2001 – May 2003); Chief of Staff, TRICARE Management Activity which reported to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (June 2000 – July 2001); and Director of the TRICARE Pacific Lead Agency in Honolulu, HI (responsible for the implementation and management of the TRICARE Regional Health Services Plan for Hawaii, Alaska, and the Western Pacific: May 1997 – May 2000).
Dr. Welton earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biology from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut (June 1969); a Medical Degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine (May 1974); and a Masters of Science in Healthcare Administration from the U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration (May 1997). He completed a three-year residency in Internal Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington (June 1977), and a two-year fellowship in Rheumatology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C. (June 1980).
Joining the Army Reserve in 1970, Dr. Welton served on active duty in the Army from 1974-1984. He transferred to the Army Reserve and subsequently the Navy Reserve while engaged in civilian Rheumatology and Physical Medicine Rehabilitation practices from 1984-1990. In January 1990, he began his active duty career in the U.S. Navy.
Dr. Welton is available for speaking engagements through our Speakers Bureau:
Topics:
Presentations:
- Primary Care management of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- The "Trauma Spectrum Response" in Wounded Warriors and its implications for recovery and reintegration
- The management of chronic pain induced by combat trauma
- Total Force Fitness; the military's framework for a whole systems approach to readiness, health, well-being, and resilience